New Christian Generation of RI Crowdfunding to Buy Church in North Providence

Shirley Suarez of the New Christian Generation of RI joined GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle in studio to talk about the process of buying the building located at 2121 Smith Street in North Providence, where they have been for six years -- and turning to crowdfunding to help.

"We have been established as a church in Rhode Island for approximately 12 years. We currently find ourselves with a membership of approximately 400 people.

Our vision has always been to work in the community by helping individuals and families, bringing about restoration and growth within them through a biblical approach. Some of our ministries include Helping Hands, which provides meals weekly to homeless people in the city of Providence. Bringing Bible studies to those in prison. As we grow, our vision includes being able to reach out to people in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as our younger generations through a school of arts and more youth activities.

By owning this building the church will save financial resources due to the fact that it is a non-profit organization allowing us to use these resources to strengthen our ministries and consequently serve better our community. "

Capital Good Fund

Providence

The Capital Good Fund works to create pathways out of poverty for Rhode Islanders by providing affordable loans that take the place of payday loans, buy-here-pay-here car financing, and rent-to-own pricing. Donate HERE.

How important are they? To date, they have provided 1,335 loans totaling $1,516,039 have been disbursed to low-income Americans.

Rare Disease United Foundation

Rumford

Rare diseases are just that -- rare, meaning if a person has one, it is easy for them to feel alone with no support. Who wants to be alone? Help support those with rare diseases -- and their families -- by donating HERE.

According to the foundation, 7,000 rare diseases exist and 30 million Americans have them.

therapeutic riding - riding lessons adapted to the ability of the rider in individual or group lessons

Hippotherapy - a form of physical, occupational or speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. Offered as private lessons

interactive vaulting - fosters teamwork, teaches respect for the horse, fosters independence, builds confidence and encourages social interaction. Lesson is both mounted and un-mounted. Offered only as group lessons

Plan International USA, Inc.

Warwick

If you're concerned about children beyond this country's borders, improving the lives of kids and families all around the world is something you can do this holiday season.

Plan International has been working to break the cycle of child poverty for more than 75 years and in over 50 countries. The programs help millions of kids and their families escape poverty over the world.

New Urban Arts

Providence

What could be better than supporting an organization that helps inner-city kids develop their creativity? New Urban Arts does just that.

How important is this program? According to New Urban Arts, 500 high school students, 25 emerging artists and over 3,000 visitors benefit through youth programs, professional development workshops, artist residencies, public performances, and exhibitions.

Children’s Wishes of RI

Everyone has a wish and for kids who are battling their own personal life challenges, those wishes can seem very distant at times. Help make kids wishes come true this holiday season by donating HERE.

Here is one of their most recent granted wishes:

"Johnnel is a 4 year old boy who is legally blind and wished for a bedroom/therapeutic room makeover. He lives in Central Falls with his mom, dad and siblings. His bedroom was re-done so that exercise mats were installed on the floors and walls. A hand rail was also installed on the wall to help Johnnel learn to walk, as well as a double “Dutch” door. All construction costs were donated by LOPCO Contracting of Providence."

Children's Wishes of RI makes a difference by:

granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 2 1/2-18 years old

Hope Funds for Cancer Research

Newport

The more researchers, the better chance of finding a cure for all types of cancer. Who doesn't want that? Make a donation HERE.

To date, Hope Funds for Cancer Research has completed funding of 14 fellowships, resulting in ten of these programs being published in top-tier journals and eight of these Fellows having already received faculty appointments.

In addition to these 14 completed fellowships, Hope Funds is currently funding 15 fellowships, with four of these having already been published.

The Hope Funds for Cancer Research makes a difference by:

holding special events to help raise money for young researchers looking for fellowship opportunities

honoring Hope Funds honors with an annual medal -- individuals or organizations who have made a significant impact to patient care

Rock Paper Scissors

Wakefield

Living in the United States, students and families often have access to music and art programs at schools and in the community. Those in other countries, like Vietnam, might not be as fortunate -- and there are organizations working to help them. Make a donation HERE.

Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund supports music and art programs for children in Vietnam.

Or you can even donate a bike to children who often have to walk long distances to get to school.

Rock Paper Scissors makes a difference by:

providing learning opportunities for young students through art and music programs

FabNewport

Sometimes it takes time to discover a passion, sometimes you just have to play around a bit, try different things. That is what FabNewport is all about. Help kids find their passions by donating HERE.

How important are they? FabNewport currently works with the East Bay Met School, the Newport Public Library, the Jamestown Arts Center, All Saints Academy, the Newport County Boys and Girls Clubs, the Jamestown Schools and area Home Schoolers.

FabNewport makes a difference by:

encouraging students to discover their passions through play. Play means having time to fiddle, tinker and experiment with materials in encouraging environment supported by a coach

Best Buddies Rhode Island

Pawtucket

Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Make a donation HERE.

How important are they? Best Buddies has grown from one original chapter to almost 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world.

Best Buddies makes a difference by:

establishing a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

From three-year-olds to adults, the MLK Community Center provides their clients with the tools and the knowledge that they need in order to reach their dreams. Help dreams come true by donating HERE.

The MLK Community Center is as impactful and meaningful to the 3-year -old toddler entering his first day of preschool as it is to breakfast program clients who come daily for a nutritious meal shared with friends.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center makes a difference by:

providing clients with the tools and the knowledge to reach their dreams

Newport Festivals Foundation

Newport

The Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals draw thousands of fans to Newport every summer to enjoy great music by some of the best musicians who have ever lived. Donate HERE to help continue this great tradition.

The Newport Festivals Foundation is in charge of festivals such as the Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival.

The Newport Festivals Foundation makes a difference by:

preserving the legacy of the Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals

nurturing the creation and education of folk & jazz music in Rhode Island, as well as internationally

In one year, Lucy's Hearth sheltered 52 families – 45 mothers and 80 children through their emergency shelter, transitional apartment and permanent apartment programs, for a total of nearly 14,000 shelter and transitional bed nights, with more than 28,000 meals served.

Lucy's Hearth makes a difference by providing:

an emergency shelter program as well as transitional and permanent apartment programs

Rhode Island Interscholastic League

Providence

Sports can helps kids get through their day, week, month and maybe longer. The Interscholastic League helps make that possible -- donate HERE

How important are they? There are 60 public, private, and parochial high schools who make up the league. These schools sponsor athletic activities in 28 sports. More than 20,000 young men and women compete

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League makes a difference by:

supervising and administering the athletic programs contests

scheduling and overseeing matters related to the participating schools throughout the state

Stages of Freedom

National Federation of the Blind makes a difference by offering programs such as:

Bow Ties for Boys, which teaches grooming and social skills to Black boys

Girls Tea Party, which teaches social graces and table manners to young girls of color at an elegant tea party

Swim Empowerment, which teaches children of color how to swim to drive down the high rate of drownings in our community. Last year we taught 311 children to swim at area YMCAs by paying for their lessons through private donations. We also provide opportunities for them to engage with their culture and history through lectures, performances, exhibits and walking tours.